• The research hub will use coastal seawater to raise fish and shrimp for food, and the nutrient-rich wastewater then fertilise plants rich in oils that can be harvested for aviation biofuel. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The research hub will use coastal seawater to raise fish and shrimp for food, and the nutrient-rich wastewater then fertilise plants rich in oils that can be harvested for aviation biofuel. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Aquaculture has been a fast-growing global food market – increasing at about 6 per cent each year, but there have been concerns about the environmental damage that can be caused by nutrient-rich effluent discharged by the fish stocks. Courtesy Masdar
    Aquaculture has been a fast-growing global food market – increasing at about 6 per cent each year, but there have been concerns about the environmental damage that can be caused by nutrient-rich effluent discharged by the fish stocks. Courtesy Masdar
  • The salt-tolerant halophyte plants thrive in arid, desert conditions and do not require fresh water or arable land to grow. Any remaining wastewater passes through a cultivated mangrove, which naturally filters more of the nutrients before it is discharged back into the sea. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The salt-tolerant halophyte plants thrive in arid, desert conditions and do not require fresh water or arable land to grow. Any remaining wastewater passes through a cultivated mangrove, which naturally filters more of the nutrients before it is discharged back into the sea. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Initially, the technology is being trialled on a small scale, but if the technology proves viable a 200-hectare demonstration site is planned. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Maryam Hareb, Assistant Undersecretary of the Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs Department at the Ministry of Environment and Water, delivers a speech during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Maryam Hareb, Assistant Undersecretary of the Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs Department at the Ministry of Environment and Water, delivers a speech during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, interim provost of Masdar Institute, during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, interim provost of Masdar Institute, during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Marc Allen, president of Boeing International, during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Marc Allen, president of Boeing International, during the launch event of the world’s first research facility that harmoniously grows food and biomass for fuel production. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dr Alejandro Ríos Galvan, director of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium at Masdar Institute, talks about the research project during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dr Alejandro Ríos Galvan, director of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium at Masdar Institute, talks about the research project during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Jim Andersen, business director for renewable energy and chemicals at UOP – Honeywell, during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Jim Andersen, business director for renewable energy and chemicals at UOP – Honeywell, during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Pierre Fabre, a senior executive at Safran, during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Pierre Fabre, a senior executive at Safran, during the launch event. Antonie Robertson / The National

Business

Masdar opens food and biofuel research facility in Abu Dhabi – in pictures

Liz Claus

March 06, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

The world’s first research facility aimed at finding a way to grow both food and biofuels using desert land irrigated with seawater has opened in Abu Dhabi. Take a quick tour of the newly opened research centre based at Masdar City.

EconomyTechnologyMasdarRenewable energy